Tips needed for working around a full arm cast

[GreatGooglyMoogly]

DS2 (4.4) broke his right arm on Monday evening and now has it in a full-arm cast (set at an angle). He is right-handed and will need a cast on for 4-6 weeks. Does anyone have any tips on how to wash him/ his hair and generally help him to be as independent as possible? I am thinking about getting him to use a potty instead of the loo as then he doesn't need to worry about having a hand to balance/ support himself - is that a good idea? Any ideas gratefully received. TIA.

I would let him try the loo, and decide for himself - it probably won't take too long to get the hang of balancing, but he may need a hand to wipe.

Plastic bag tied over the plaster will help for washing, and we just used to give a short shower to minimise risk of getting the plaster wet even with the bag on. He is probably tall enough to lean over the bath to have his hair washed, rather than washing it while he is having a bath/shower

Easy to eat food if he is not used to using his left hand - will probably find cutlery a challenge although again will get better over time.

ds found it tough to find a comfortable position to sleep in at first, but again it did get better.

Good luck!

www.protectacast.com/index.htm

we have used these!!! are fantastic

Put a big pillow under the arm in bed, to keep it elevated and to add to comfort

I have used these limbo

I'd say something like this is essential for a cast which will be on for 4-6 weeks. Just a plastic bag will not give enough protection and if the plaster gets wet it may have to be taken off and put on again.

oh those are clever. 3 yo ds did manage with just a plastic bag on his arm (and even had occasional baths), but those look more straightforward.

The nurse who put my ds's cast on said the best way she had found for bathing was clingfilm. Wrap around arm from above the top of the cast right down to over the fingers. Shallow bath and arm resting on the side while you slosh water over him.

Elasticated trousers are easier for pulling up and down but you will be surprised how capable he will get with even the cast arm eventually. I was prepared for 6 weeks of hell but the reality was far better than I expected.

Is it a plaster cast or one of the plasticky mesh ones?

Ooh lots of great ideas, thanks!

It's a plaster cast, SamJones, and weighs a tonne but will hopefully be changed to something lighter in a week's time .